JHPTS Program News

JHPTS Trackers Assist Port Angeles Police

8/7/2019

JHPTS Visual Trackers Dietrich Biemiller and Bill Buck of Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue and John MacDuff of Pacific Northwest Trackers assisted with a homicide investigation in Port Angeles, WA.  Good work TRACKERS.

24-Hour JHPTS Visual Tracking class in Kelso, WA

Sponsored by Cowlitz County Searh & Rescue - 7/16/2019

Cowlitz County Search & Rescue sponsored a 24-hour JHPTS Visual Tracking class on July 12-14, 2019 in Kelso, Washington.  Thirty-one trackers attended.  Our mentor and Master Tracker instructed the Advanced class and Alissa Rettschag and Ravin Alder instructed the Novice class.

This was an amazing opportunity to learn as there were 5 Sign-Cutters, 3 Journeymen, 6 Apprentice and 5 Basic Trackers included in the mix.  The weather was perfect and the tracking was challenging in that there was sign from last October, from five weeks ago, two weeks ago and 3 days ago to sort and identify.

Farewell to Tracker Richard Fox

7/9/2019

From Joel Hardin:

Richard,

 I was taking a walk with Tobii, my dog, and while he chased a squirrel around and through the brush pile I thought of you. I was remembering the times that you first came to the tracking courses.  You were a large and knowing man, who spoke mostly when spoken to and mostly only a few words. However your words were careful and with meaning directly relating to whatever conversation had been directed toward you.  You listened with eyes half closed to all that was said, remembering and measuring each for the words they spoke.  Your laugh was a delightful and uncontrolled giggle which infected all within hearing and lifted the mood for everyone.

 Richard, I always thought you knew more about tracking than I.  Your native understanding of your environment surroundings was a God gifted nature that allowed complete comprehension of my words.  I took the initiative to introduce you to a new image as a very talented and highly regarded tracking instructor.  Students listened to you and knew by hearing your words of the invaluable need for trackers who studied and practiced to see and understand sign.  

You were remarkable and you will live forever in the stories, the tales and case histories of the JHPTS-Three – Fires Trackers.  Sooo-Long my friend keep pointing out the sign and showing us the way to go.